Look, as much as we love Houston’s buzzy and beautiful neighborhoods, sometimes we just need a day downtown. Home to the top museums, restaurants, rooftop bars and lavish stays in the city, it is quite literally the heart of H-town. Here, we dish our downtown favorites.
POST Houston’s international culinary market
Where to Eat
Guard and Grace
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When it comes to five-star eating in Downtown Houston, Guard and Grace raises the steaks. Bursting with bold flavors and savory cuisine, the menu is rife with prime, dry-aged and local Wagyu steaks—alongside an impressive selection of seafood that represents the best of the Gulf. Our favorites? The Alaskan Black Cod paired with charred broccolini and sweet soy butter or the Prime Brisket Melt featuring Creekstone Prime smoked brisket, gruyere cheese, charred pepper relish, house pickles and brioche. 500 Dallas St., guardandgrace.com
Hearsay Market Square
At Hearsay Market Square, “chic antique” takes on a whole new meaning. Inside, the space boasts a serene, yet relaxed aesthetic—complete with historic architecture and glittering chandeliers, of course. With an abundance of menus to choose from, alongside killer specials and happy hour offerings, we promise this is the perfect spot to nestle in with friends and order a round (or two). 218 Travis St., hearsaygastrolounge.com
Lyric Market
Spanning an entire city block, Lyric Market is Houston’s most exciting food hall. The Market houses a multitude of diverse food concepts and strives to support up-and-coming local chefs and restaurateurs. From morning to evening, the Lyric Market shifts its environment to best suit its customers, which means waffles in the mornings, light bites for lunch, and a mini night-out experience after dark at the Lyric Bar. 411 Smith St., lyricmarket.com
Where to Stay:
Hotel Icon, Autograph Collection
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A beacon of comfort and style amid the hustle and bustle of downtown Houston, Hotel Icon, Autograph Collection is the epitome of luxury living. Sitting on what was once the Union National Bank of Houston, this historic site has restored and transformed the space—keeping precious artifacts in place, of course (cue the original vault located in the lobby). On top of the 135 guest rooms and nine signature penthouse suites, the hotel also showcases a bevy of attractions, from a 24-hour fitness center to its Beauty and Beyond Spa, Line & Lariat restaurant and much, much more. 220 Main St., hotelicon.com
Four Seasons Hotel
The Four Seasons Hotel is a true Houston haven through and through. Effortlessly fusing southern hospitality with dazzling downtown aesthetics, the hotel boasts a number of accommodations from pool-side Cabana rooms to both Penthouse and Presidential suite options. When you’re not out exploring the city, make sure to grab a round at the one-of-a-kind Topgolf Swing Suites featuring world-class courses, book a massage at the award-winning spa, or take a dip in the gorgeous rooftop pool. 1300 Lamar St., fourseasons.com
The Lancaster Hotel Houston
Welcome to the Lancaster Hotel Houston—a historic landmark where 1920s glamour meets boutique luxury. Here, an extensive collection of over 200 works by noted contemporary Texas artists adorn the walls, and intimate accommodations fused with opulent amenities make this nothing short of a five-star stay. Make sure to grab a table at the recently redesigned Cultivated F+B restaurant and bar, or opt for the Lancaster’s afternoon tea service—complete with a three-course menu rife with tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones, housemade jam and lemon curd and, of course, delicious patisserie. 701 Texas Ave., thelancaster.com
Thompson Houston
Say hello to Downtown Houston's latest retreat: Thompson Houston. This 36-story boutique hotel has everything you need for a luxe stay in the city—from a full-service spa and various culinary options to one of H-Town's largest rooftop pool decks. Oh, and did we mention it even has its own heliport? With no detail overlooked, the rooms (including 34 breathtaking suites) feature modern mid-century accents, floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views in both directions (think Buffalo Bayou Park or downtown's skyline), and luxury amenities. In the morning, hit the gym before grabbing coffee at Maven Coffee Co.; take a swim in the afternoon; and at night, go for dinner at Meduza Mediterrania or Toca Madera before topping off the night with drinks from SOL7. Talk about the ultimate staycation! 1717 Allen Parkway, hyatt.com/thompson-hotels
Where To Grab A Drink:
Z on 23 Rooftop Bar
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If stunning skyline views and sweet sips are on your to-do, look no further than Z on 23 Rooftop Bar. Nestled nicely atop Le Méridien Houston Hotel, this one-of-a-kind watering hole marks the city’s highest open-air rooftop bar. Aside from its gorgeous drinks (think Top Gin Mule, Watermelon Wave margarita and Z Old Fashioned), this space has also been voted one of the most Instagrammable spots in Houston, so get your cameras ready—the phone drinks first here. 1121 Walker St., zon23rooftop.com
SOHO Garden HTX
No gatekeeping here; we are obsessed with SOHO Garden HTX. This Houston hidden gem is totally NYC-inspired, boasting a dazzling 4,000-square-foot courtyard nestled in between three high-rise buildings. On the menu, expect nothing less than seasonal custom mixology creations, including the ever-so-delicious Aperol Spritz, Hibiscus margarita and more. Grab your friends and hang out in the garden; we guarantee this new spot will have everyone abuzz! 408 Main St., sohogardenhtx.com
Angel Share HTX
Dubbed Downtown Houston’s best happy hour, Angel Share HTX boasts an array of bevs and bites not to be missed. All day Monday, and every day between 4 and 7 p.m., snag a seat at the bar for $8 glasses of wines, frozen and select cocktails, as well as $5 wells and drafts and $20 bottles of wines. The best part yet? Proceeds from the delicious cocktails go to local nonprofit organizations, and since 2013, Angel Share has raised over $1.3 million for local charities. We’ll cheers to that! 924 Congress St., angelsharehtx.com
High & Dry
At High & Dry, rum is the name of the game. Expect nothing less than 200 hand-selected rum options from all over the world, alongside fresh juices and original housemade Orgeats and Tinctures, producing some of Houston’s highest-quality and oh, so delicious cocktails. On the menu? An impressive mix of H&D staples, seasonal and classic cocktails, frozens, flights and more. 306 Main St., highanddryhtx.com
Cultural Experiences:
POST Houston
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Let me introduce you to the city’s latest cultural hub and historic anchor: POST Houston. What was once a United States Post Office mail sorting warehouse is now a 550,000-square-foot building home to an international culinary market, three atriums (named X, O and Z), 713 Music Hall and, last but certainly not least, a “Texas-sized” Skylawn. On the event lineup? An array of creative collaborations, open rooftop farm days, concert series, workout and dance classes, car shows and much, much more. 401 Franklin St., posthtx.com
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
If you’re planning a museum day, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, has to be on the top of the list. With an impressive lineup of exhibitions, shows, lectures and more year-round, we promise there will be a little something for everyone. Snag an All Access ticket for upcoming special exhibitions like Crowning the North: Silver Treasures from Bergen, Norway; Multiplicity: Blackness in Contemporary American Collage; and Vertigo of Color: Matisse, Derain, and the Origins of Fauvism. Did we mention there’s also a happy hour every Thursday? That’s right! Grab your friends and head to the museum between 5 and 8 p.m. for a free peek inside and a drink at the bar. 1001 Bissonnet St., mfah.org
Houston Symphony
The Houston Symphony is a beloved staple for the city’s arts and culture scene. With an impressive lineup of orchestral and non-orchestral performances, educational programs and community activities on the horizon, there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy. Don’t miss out on concerts like The Mind and Music of George Gershwin, At Last! A Tribute to Etta James, Romeo and Juliet + Dvořák’s Cello Concerto and much, much more. 615 Louisiana St. #102, houstonsymphony.org
Photography by: Photo by Leonid Furmansky/Courtesy of POST Houston
